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cnbc.com
Iran says Strait of Hormuz is closed again as vessels attempting to cross come under fire
Iranian officials say they have closed the strait because of the U.S.'s ongoing blockade of its ports.
theguardian.com
Reeves rightly fears the bond market, but she can afford to ditch one unhelpful rule | Phillip Inman
The chancellor has wisely vowed to drive down the annual deficit, but long-term defence investment must not be delayedThere is a good reason Rachel Reeves is wary of the dreaded bond market vigilantes. Anyone who inherits a mountain of debt and then finds out that many of the lenders act like sharks is right to be concerned.Most of the participants in financial markets are not actively predatory. They swim in a sea of money with only one rule, to stick together, hoovering up as much profit as they can at the lowest risk. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Video shows ships turning away from Strait of Hormuz as confusion persists over whether sea lane is really open
The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed despite Iran's declaration Friday that it is open, maritime freight and oil analysts told CNBC.
theguardian.com
How a fiery attack on Sam Altman’s home unfolded
Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO’s home comes amid growing discontent against artificial intelligenceIn the early hours of 10 April, a man approached the gate of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s house in San Francisco and hurled a molotov cocktail at the building before fleeing. The suspect, 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama, was arrested less than two hours later while allegedly attempting to break into the headquarters of OpenAI with a jug of kerosene, a lighter and an anti-AI manifesto.Federal and California state authorities have charged Moreno-Gama with a range of crimes including attempted arson and attempted murder. His parents issued a statement this week saying that their son had recently suffered a mental health crisis. Moreno-Gama, who has not yet entered a plea, faces up to life in prison if convicted. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Just what they wanted: fed-up New Yorkers revel in SantaCon fraud charge
The pub crawl’s organizer is accused of pocketing donations but residents and businesses have long had misgivingsOn what started as an otherwise uneventful spring day in New York City, thousands of residents last week received what they felt was an early Christmas present.Stefan Pildes, organizer of SantaCon in New York City, was arrested on Wednesday morning for allegedly using hundreds of thousands from event-based charitable donations on his personal expenses, such as luxe vacations and “extravagant meals”, Manhattan federal prosecutors said. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We can’t wait’: Venice already seeking floods plan B five years after barriers’ launch
Rising sea levels and ecological damage caused by heavy use of flood defence system force city authorities to consider next moveThe Arsenale, the colossal shipyard that was the engine of the Venetian Republic’s domination for seven centuries, remains the nucleus of the city’s control over the water. Its northern section is made up of cavernous brick warehouses called capannoni, which in the 16th century could produce a warship a day through a rigorously ordered assembly line.Now, one of them houses the operations centre of the Mose, the sprawling flood defence system that protects the city. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
As Franco Manca scales back, is the air going out of the sourdough pizza craze?
The restaurant is to cut more than a fifth of its outlets amid an onslaught from supermarkets and rival chainsWhen Franco Manca first opened in south London’s Brixton Market in 2008, its competitively priced sourdough pizzas served in a sophisticated setting quickly drew a buzz.“It was all the rage,” says food blogger Gerry del Guercio of BiteTwice, who visited in the early days and recalls the novelty of seeing queues forming for pizza in London. “It was just desperately cool, and everyone wanted to try.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Growing knowledge, growing yield: British wine-making comes of age
Changing climate, new techniques and a homegrown study programme have all helped drive a UK viticulture boomRows of vines stretch across the rolling hills of rural Dorset. Currently waist height, they appear bare against a bleak spring sky. Up close, you can see they are already dotted with tiny woolly buds as they exit their winter dormancy for a new growth cycle.Come summer these rows will be laden with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, ready to make the latest batch of English sparkling wine from the Langham estate near Dorchester. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Survivors of alleged sexual abuse by former owner of Harrods want enablers to face justice
Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group claim there are ‘dozens of individuals who must be held to account’A group of 50 survivors of alleged sexual abuse by Harrods’ former owner Mohamed Al Fayed are calling for “meaningful consequences” for those who they claim facilitated and ignored the abuse.“If they think the money is the important factor they are so far off the mark,” said Jen Mills, a member of the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group. They claim there are “dozens of individuals who must be held to account”, from a range of eras. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia's once-tight bond with gamers is cracking over AI, 'and that breaks my heart'
Gamers once helped save Nvidia from bankruptcy. Now they feel left behind as the memory crunch drives focus to AI chips and DLSS 5 disrupts game design.
theguardian.com
Traders placed over $1bn in perfectly timed bets on the Iran war. What is going on?
Suspicious wagers on the US-Israel war in Iran are creating huge windfalls and raising concerns among lawmakersSixteen bets made $100,000 accurately predicting the timing of the US airstrikes against Iran on 27 February. Later, a single user would make over $550,000 after betting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would topple, just moments before his assassination by Israeli forces. On 7 April, right before Donald Trump announced a temporary ceasefire with Iran, traders bet $950m that oil prices would come down. They did.These bets and other well-timed wagers accurately predicted the precise timing of major developments in the US-Israel war with Iran, creating huge windfalls and raising concerns among lawmakers and experts over potential insider trading. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
As e-bike crashes send an increasing number of people to the hospital, cities search for solutions
Cities look to registration, regulation and infrastructure improvement to cut number of e-bike injuries and deathsThe increasing number of traumatic injuries from e-bikes in the United States has caught the attention of physicians, lawmakers, pedestrians and others.While there is a shared concern about people recklessly riding the trendy machines, there are significant differences among roadway safety advocates about the best ways to prevent accidents – including whether the government should focus on improving infrastructure rather than regulating e-bikes. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Help, there’s a cockroach in my coffee! 16 gross ingredients hidden in your favourite foods
From wood pulp in ice-cream to peat in portobellos, science has transformed how we dine. Do you know exactly what’s lurking in the grub we eat?Microbial slime and a side helping of sand doesn’t sound like much of a meal, but a startling amount of the food we eat today contains ingredients that are, at the very least, unexpected – and, at worst, dangerous, such as heavy metals from polluted soils.Then there is the thorny question of what ultra‑processed foods in our diets might be doing to us. “While each food additive, so‑called processing aid, fortificant and unrecognisably modified ingredient has been tested individually and declared safe, are they really?” asks Chris Young, who runs the Real Bread Campaign for Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, and was named joint winner of Slow Food In The UK’s 2025 person of the year award. “The studies are relatively small and short, leaving history littered with additives that we were once promised would not harm us but were later withdrawn or banned on health grounds. What might the long-term effect be of eating such substances, individually or in the cocktails created for each product and across our shopping baskets?” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The maternity and mortgage struggle of being self-employed: ‘It was overwhelming at times’
Buying a house or having a baby has turned into a financial nightmare for those who are their own bossHarriett Thompson started her maternity leave at the beginning of 2025, but at the start of this month she still had not received any of the statutory pay she was entitled to.The freelance makeup artist described what she says is a familiar experience for a lot of self-employed mothers. “Luckily [my partner] Alex started a long contract when our daughter was born, which has enabled us to get by … That’s coming to an end now, with no future work in sight, so I’m getting anxious about receiving the money,” she told us. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
We spoke to over 30 central bankers, policymakers and politicians. Here are their top concerns
From stagflation to energy security, policymakers spoke to CNBC about the biggest risks arising from the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
theguardian.com
Central bank bosses enlist for war game to gauge threat of Lehman-style bust
Finance chiefs to join exercise in Washington designed to assess how they would handle collapse of significant bankThe bosses of the central banks and treasuries of the UK, US and EU are to take part in a war game in Washington on Saturday to test how they would handle the collapse of a globally significant bank.Amid growing unease over the risks to global financial stability, the most senior officials from the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England – including its governor, Andrew Bailey – are expected to take part. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Iran war sees holidaymakers stay closer to home
One man says he cancelled his holiday to Spain due to the rising costs and uncertainty.
theguardian.com
Can Europe avoid a summer of holiday flight and cross-Channel travel chaos?
Passengers face risk of cancellations due to fuel shortages – and long airport queues due to EU entry-exit systemWhat are your rights if your holiday flight is cancelled?Holidaymakers have faced numerous stresses in recent years when planning and budgeting for the sacred summer holiday. Holiday flights to Europe have kept growing despite a pandemic, a cost of living crisis and long airport queues, but summer 2026 threatens to bring fresh anxieties.Legacies of Brexit mean longer border checks for Britons and most non-EU nationals to get into much of Europe, and the US-Israel war on Iran has prompted fears that airlines may not have enough fuel for every scheduled flight. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What are my rights if flights are cancelled and holidays disrupted due to fuel shortage?
Iran war and EU’s new entry-exit system could lead to travel misery this summer, but there are ways to mitigate itCan Europe avoid a summer of travel chaos?The war in the Middle East has prompted fears that potential shortages of jet fuel could result in flight cancellations this summer and warnings that holidays could be severely disrupted.Airports have said jet fuel could run short within three weeks as a result of supply problems after the strait of Hormuz was effectively closed when war broke out at the end of February. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Who’d have thought a fossil-fuel shill like Trump would be the one to spark a green revolution? | George Monbiot
The US attack on Iran has made the need for renewable energy inarguable. Environmentalists are now being seen for the pragmatists that they areDonald Trump has done more to accelerate the energy transition than anyone else alive. Fossil fuel companies bankrolled his presidential campaign to stop the transition in its tracks. But when you back a volatile narcissist, unable to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time, you shouldn’t expect to control the outcome.It’s not that the fossils are suffering yet. As prices have soared since Trump and Netanyahu attacked Iran, oil executives have been selling shares at gobsmacking prices: the CEO of Chevron, for example, has cashed $104m so far this year. Vladimir Putin has also received a massive boost to his Ukraine invasion budget. As promised, Trump has gutted clean energy rules and programmes, green alternatives and environmental science. A fortnight ago, he stated, with the usual quantum of evidence (zero): “The environmentalists, I mean, they are terrorists … I call them environmental terrorists.”George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil prices plunge as Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'open' during ceasefire
Brent crude sinks by a tenth after Iran says the key waterway is open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.
cnbc.com
'It's sad': The U.S.-UK 'special relationship' sours ahead of royal visit to Washington
A year ago, it was all going so well for the U.S. and U.K.'s so-called "special relationship", but ties have soured.
theguardian.com
‘It’s a twilight zone’: Iran war casts deep shadows over IMF gathering in Washington
Rachel Reeves joins global finance chiefs in highlighting how households and businesses are feeling the pain of higher energy pricesMiddle East crisis live: latest news updatesThe most severe energy shock since the 1970s, the risk of a global recession and households everywhere stomaching a renewed surge in the cost of living – hitting the most vulnerable hardest.In a sweltering hot Washington DC this week, the message at the International Monetary Fund meetings was chilling: things had been looking up for living standards around the world. But then came the Iran war. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Iron will: Australia’s richest person counts the cost as court orders she share mining millions with rival family
Gina Rinehart, who’s been called Australia’s ‘female Donald Trump’, has long fought claims from the family of her father’s business partner – as well as her own childrenFull Story podcast: How Gina Rinehart lost hundreds of millions of dollars in courtAustralia’s richest person is reeling after a landmark court decision found her company must pay royalties worth hundreds of millions of dollars to a rival mining dynasty.Gina Rinehart, a multibillionaire with political connections in both the White House and the Australian parliament, has been described by members of the US conservative movement as “a female Donald Trump”. The 72-year-old, who inherited her father’s iron ore empire in Australia’s Pilbara region, has fought multiple claims against the family company Hancock Prospecting that were first launched in 2010. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Mortgage rates show signs of falling after Iran war peak
Major lenders make rate reductions as markets take some heart from a possible truce in the Iran war.
cnbc.com
Trump says he had 'no idea' Anthropic's Amodei met with White House about Mythos
The meeting comes less than two months after President Donald Trump blacklisted Anthropic's Claude.
bbc.com
'I'm the lucky one' - more than one in three young men now live with their parents
Last year, the highest proportion of men aged 20-34 were still living at home since at least 2007 as the rising cost of living takes hold.
cnbc.com
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open to shipping but Trump says U.S. blockade still active
The Strait of Hormuz has remained almost completely closed as the U.S. and Iran have disputed the terms of their ceasefire agreement.
theguardian.com
California coffee chain reinstates policy on Pride flags after swift backlash
Petition started by workers gained more than 7,300 signatures after CEO said flags would be removedA San Francisco-based coffee chain that sparked backlash with a policy to remove Pride flags from their stores has reversed its decision over a week later.“I made a mistake and I am sincerely sorry,” said Mahesh Sadarangani, the chief executive of Philz Coffee, in a statement on Friday. “The Pride flag is a symbol of safety and belonging for people who don’t always find that in the world, and that is not something I want to take away from anyone who walks into a Philz.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. oil price plunges below $84 as Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open, easing supply fears
Oil prices tumbled more than 11% after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open amid a ceasefire deal with Lebanon.
cnbc.com
Tanker diplomacy: Trump faces tests from Havana to Hormuz
From Cuba to the Persian Gulf, Trump is expected to face fresh challenges across a new arc of tanker diplomacy.
bbc.com
Tinder and Zoom offer 'proof of humanity' eye-scans to combat AI
The tech aims to identify people's irises and stop the rise of fake accounts and malicious scams.
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves to raise windfall tax on low-carbon electricity generators
Chancellor aims to curb rising household bills as she consults on reforms to weaken link between gas and electricity pricesRachel Reeves is poised to raise the government’s windfall tax on low-carbon electricity generators to help limit UK household energy bills, the Guardian understands.The chancellor is ready to hike the levy introduced in 2022 to target the excess profits made by the owners of older renewable energy and nuclear plants as electricity market prices soared after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on a much-needed boost for the arts: rebuilding England’s cultural landscape
Dazzling new additions like V&A East are a source of national pride, but so are much-loved regional institutionsThe V&A East Museum, which opens its doors for the first time in Stratford, London, on Saturday, is the latest addition to the buzzing East Bank cultural quarter on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This £135m architect-designed V&A outpost is a short walk from the V&A East Storehouse (on Time Magazine’s list of The World’s Greatest Places to Visit 2026) and Sadler’s Wells East, both of which arrived last year. The London College of Fashion has been there since 2024 and BBC Music Studios are due to open in 2027. Art, design, dance, fashion and music – welcome to London’s 21st-century culturopolis.This once-neglected area of London – “a place where fridges went to die” as Gus Casely-Hayford, the director of V&A East, put it – has been transformed into a creative mecca. But in many parts of the UK the story is one of falling visitor numbers, job losses and the closure of much-loved music venues and art spaces. These architectural palaces are a far cry from many of the crumbling theatres and museums outside the capital (and their well-maintained European equivalents).Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.com
AI minister Kendall says she doesn't use AI at work
The Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary this week unveiled a £500m fund to boost British AI firms.
theguardian.com
Questions raised over whether £3.8m government grant awarded to Wrexham AFC was lawful
Exclusive: The club, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, received the grant without a contract or final state aid assessment in placeWrexham AFC, the football club part-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, was given a £3.8m government grant without a contract or a finished state aid assessment in place, raising questions over whether the award was lawful.The club has received £18m in taxpayer-funded grants – far more than any other in the UK – to help to redevelop its stadium, the Racecourse Ground (Y Cae Ras in Welsh). Continue reading...
cnbc.com
European stocks soar after Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz open; travel stocks gain 5%
European stocks rebounded sharply on Friday afternoon Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping.
bbc.com
How to know if you're on an energy price cap tariff
Martin was shocked to learn how many people didn't know if they were on an energy price cap.
bbc.com
What is Claude Mythos and what risks does it pose?
The company's claim the AI tool can outperform humans at some hacking and cyber-security tasks has sparked fears in the financial world.
theguardian.com
Average new UK electric car price is now lower than petrol vehicles
Autotrader says average EV cost is £785 cheaper, in an important milestone in the move away from fossil fuelsThe price of new battery electric cars has fallen below petrol cars in the UK for the first time, according to the car sales website Autotrader, in a significant milestone in Britain’s transition away from fossil fuels.The average price of a new electric car listed on the website was £42,620, compared with £43,405 for a new petrol model – making the former £785 cheaper based on advertised prices after discounts. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says war in Iran is going 'swimmingly' and 'should be ending pretty soon'
President Donald Trump's latest prediction on the end of the war against Iran came hours after Israel announced a ceasefire with Lebanon.
bbc.com
UK petrol and diesel prices fall after weeks of rises
Drivers have seen weeks of increases as the US-Israeli war with Iran pushed up wholesale oil prices.
cnbc.com
Nvidia AI chip rivals attract record funding as competition heats up
A growing crop of startups are set on challenging the chip giant's supremacy.
cnbc.com
U.S. tech companies ramp up government lobbying amid Iran war uncertainty
A White House spokesperson told CNBC the administration had been working with industry leaders to mitigate disruption brought about by the conflict.
theguardian.com
UK’s OnlyFans tops $3bn valuation amid talks to sell stake to US investor
Adult video platform to sell minority stake to increase stability after death of its owner Leonid RadvinskyBusiness live – latest updatesOnlyFans, the UK adult video platform, is in talks to sell a minority stake to a US investor that will value the business at more than $3bn (£2.2bn).The London-based company is in advanced talks to sell a stake of less than 20% to the San Francisco-based investment firm Architect Capital, according to the Financial Times. Sources familiar with the process confirmed the talks to the Guardian. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Richard Desmond loses £1.3bn damages battle over national lottery licence
Media tycoon vows to appeal after dismissal of action against Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the franchiseThe media tycoon Richard Desmond has vowed to appeal after a resounding defeat in his claim for up to £1.3bn in damages from the Gambling Commission over its decision not to award him the 10-year licence to run the national lottery.Mrs Justice Smith dismissed Desmond’s claim on Friday, in a sometimes scathing written high court judgment that reserved particular criticism for “inexcusable” failings on the part of Desmond’s legal team. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Finance ministers and top bankers raise serious concerns about Mythos AI model
Experts say Mythos potentially has an unprecedented ability to identify and exploit cyber-security weaknesses.
bbc.com
The fake images behind AI insurance scams
An insurer reports a 71% rise in fraudulent claims, driven partly by an increase in faked images.
cnbc.com
Israel's central bank chief pins hopes on peace as economic shock looms
Israel's central bank governor hopes a swift resolution to the wars in Lebanon and Iran can ease a growth shock.
cnbc.com
Asia markets mostly fall as fragile Middle East ceasefire tempers sentiment
Most Asia-Pacific markets traded lower Friday as an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire tempered risk appetite, even after Wall Street closed at fresh record highs.
cnbc.com
Spain touts energy resilience to Iran war as Trump tensions cast shadow over trade
The southern European country has ramped up its investment in solar and wind technologies in recent years.
cnbc.com
Nvidia rival tells CNBC it's seeking at least $100 million in funding as European AI chip market booms
Investor interest for AI chip startups is rising, but big challenges remain for the nascent sector.
bbc.com
Nearly 160,000 uninsured cars seized on UK roads
Seizure numbers hit a 17-year high as an estimated 300,000 uninsured vehicles are driven each day.
theguardian.com
A question for those desperate to cut benefits to fund defence: who exactly are you willing to impoverish? | Polly Toynbee
George Robertson has joined Reform and the Tories in making the case. Look welfare recipients in the face and say thatThe benefits budget is now a magic money tree. Whenever Conservatives or Faragists make wild promises – tax cuts, more police, more punishment, more bonuses for marriage – and are asked how they would pay, the answer is always “welfare”. The sums are enormous. “Only the Conservatives will cut welfare spending by £23bn and get Britain working again,” the party insists.More unexpected was the klaxon from the Labour peer George Robertson this week, demanding a cut in benefits to finance defence. “We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget,” said the ex-Nato chief, wanting to pluck this juicy plum to fund defence. Good to see him slapped down sharply by the government: there is no “zero-sum game” between these two budgets, said the chancellor’s deputy, James Murray.Guardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink?On Thursday 30 April, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour faces from the Green party and Reform UK – and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader. Book tickets here or at guardian.livePolly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Uber raises stake in Delivery Hero in $318 million deal
Prosus has been forced by European regulators to sell down its Delivery Hero stake in order to proceed with a proposed acquisition of Just Eat.
bbc.com
Chinese carmaker patents voice-controlled 'in-vehicle toilet'
Seres' plans show how stiff competition in the EV space is putting pressure on carmakers to innovate.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: A ceasefire, but no Strait talk
A 10-day truce between Isreal and Lebanon takes negotiators another step closer to a broader Middle East peace agreement.
cnbc.com
ECB keeps markets guessing on rates with two weeks to go, warns of ‘layer cake of shocks’
One policymaker said officials were worried about a "layer cake of shocks."
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in England near marathon routes – in pictures
From running through open countryside in historic beauty spots to pounding the streets of London Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I want to reform our country because a strong Germany is a precondition for a strong Europe | Lars Klingbeil
The war in Iran has exposed our dependencies. Europe, including the UK, must be bold about change, so nobody can blackmail usLars Klingbeil is Germany’s finance minister and vice-chancellorWars and crises are draining our economies, our sense of security and our emotional wellbeing. They are affecting our daily lives: supply chains are becoming less reliable, energy prices are soaring, and trade dependencies on fossil-fuel energy and critical minerals pose risks to national security. Tariffs, industrial overcapacities and export restrictions threaten jobs and prosperity. Taken together, all this is exposing Europe’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities.At the same time, we have shown how strengthening our alliances and our economic and military capacities can increase our scope for action. Forming a united European political front is helping to safeguard the sovereignty of Greenland, for instance. And despite all the recent turmoil, Europe remains one of the most attractive places in the world to live and work. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
35,000 pints of stolen Guinness, 950 wheels of pilfered cheese: can the UK’s cargo theft crisis be stopped? – podcast
It costs the UK economy £700m a year, and criminal gangs are operating with near impunity. Every time a lorry gets robbed, raided or hijacked, it’s Mike Dawber who investigatesBy Stuart McGurk. Read by Nicholas Camm Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Netflix stock sinks after streamer reiterates guidance, says Reed Hastings to exit board
Netflix beat expectations for Q1 revenue and reported a big jump in earnings per share thanks in part to a termination fee related to its proposed WBD deal.
bbc.com
Could a digital twin make you into a 'superworker'?
Firms say digital twins make staff more productive, but are they a potential legal minefield?
bbc.com
Rising value of Pokémon cards sparks smash and grab crime spree
Small shops across the UK are being targeted by thieves stealing collectibles worth thousands of pounds.
bbc.com
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings to step down as chairman
Hastings set up the company in 1997, when it rented DVDs to customers and delivered by post.
bbc.com
How could the Iran war affect fizzy drinks in the UK?
The BBC's Emma Simpson explains why fizzy drinks, salad and meat could be affected by the Gulf conflict.
bbc.com
Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns
Flights could soon be cancelled if supplies from the Gulf remain blocked, says the International Energy Agency.
cnbc.com
Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump says
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine will work with Israel and Lebanon, Trump said.
bbc.com
Is Trump meeting the moment for US conservatives?
The BBC asked the president's supporters about Iran, the economy and immigration at the largest conservative gathering in the country.
cnbc.com
TSMC and ASML post-earnings stock moves could be a sign of what's to come from chip companies
Two of the biggest chipmakers, TSMC and ASML, failed to catch major tail winds from strong earnings. It could be a bellwether for the chip industry as a whole.
theguardian.com
It will take more than £600m a year to boost UK industrial competitiveness | Nils Pratley
Bics fix accepts nose-bleed energy bills are a structural problem but pretends they are only an issue for a narrow section of industryIt is “bold action” to boost UK competitiveness, claimed the government. Not everybody shared that assessment of the British industrial competitiveness scheme (Bics), the long-awaited plan to cut electricity bills for UK manufacturers by up to 25% – or, at least, to cut them for a subset of firms that are aligned with the eight chosen sectors of the “modern” industrial strategy.“Gas intensive industries in the UK have been shamefully ignored by the government in this announcement – it’s a total disgrace,” said Gary Smith, the general secretary of the GMB union, banging the drum for the likes of ceramics-makers and brickmakers that aren’t deemed modern enough for support. Employer bodies mostly did the polite thing of welcoming government assistance of any form before using phrases such as “drop in the ocean”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why the UK is preparing for food shortages due to Iran war
The BBC's Emma Simpson explains why fizzy drinks, salad and meat could be affected by the Gulf conflict.
bbc.com
No issues with UK fuel supply, says Reeves
The chancellor was speaking at the end of the International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington.
bbc.com
Social supermarket opens to cut food bills
The store, in Mablethorpe, buys surplus stock so it can keep prices low.
bbc.com
Cheaper Doritos and Lays helps PepsiCo win back struggling snackers
The snack giant cut some of its prices by up to 15% ahead of the Super Bowl in February.
cnbc.com
Anthropic rolls out Claude Opus 4.7, an AI model that is less risky than Mythos
Claude Mythos Preview is Anthropic's most powerful AI model that excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software.
bbc.com
UK prepares for food shortages in worst case scenario as Iran war continues
The UK could face some food shortages by the summer under a worst case scenario drawn up by government officials.
bbc.com
DHL staff at Jaguar Land Rover vote to strike
Up to 300 DHL logistics workers based at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull vote to strike indefinitely.
cnbc.com
World's biggest chocolate maker issues profit warning as cocoa prices collapse; shares plunge 17%
Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut on Thursday lowered its operating profit outlook, citing supply concerns and industry overcapacity.
cnbc.com
‘Guns vs. butter’: IMF flags tough trade-offs as governments ramp up defense spending
The International Monetary Fund has raised the alarm over a global “guns versus butter” trade-off as countries ramp up defense spending.
theguardian.com
‘A dollar or two increase is devastating’: US readers on toll of rising gas prices
Guardian readers describe how their lives have been upended by cost hikes stemming from Trump’s Iran warWith the US and Israel’s war on Iran now in its seventh week, with a fragile ceasefire in place since earlier this month, Americans are continuing to feel the effects at the pump as global fuel prices rise.For several readers who spoke to the Guardian, the impact has forced difficult trade-offs – from accessing essential medicines and groceries to facing the brink of homelessness amid an already rising cost of living. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I don’t go out’: Vermont’s undocumented dairy workers live in fear after immigration raids
A tenfold increase in the number of immigration detentions has compelled many workers to barely leave the farms where they work‘They want to keep denying us our rights’: workers in Vermont’s $5.4bn dairy industry fight for basic labor protectionsLast spring, José Edilberto Molina-Aguilar was resting in his bedroom when a co-worker burst through the front door. Out his window, Molina-Aguilar, a 37-year-old dairy worker from Chiapas, Mexico, caught sight of the olive green uniforms of immigration enforcement officials who later claimed they had pursued a worker on to the farm property.A farm manager told Molina-Aguilar and five of his co-workers at Pleasant Valley Farms, Vermont’s largest dairy, in Berkshire, about three miles from the Canadian border, to come outside. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK economy grew faster than expected in February ahead of Iran war
The economy saw its biggest monthly rise in more than two years just before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
cnbc.com
Iran war sparks 'fundamental energy transition' in Seoul toward renewables: Energy minister
Kim said South Korea will focus on wind and solar power to achieve its goal of reaching 100 gigawatts renewable energy capacity
theguardian.com
Wildings in Newport, Wales: the grand department store that became an illicit cannabis farm
For decades, Wildings was the poshest shop in town. But since it closed down in 2019, the storied building has fallen into disrepair and been commandeered as a drug den and a skate park. What happened?I’m standing outside a lift in a department store in Newport, Wales, looking at the sign, wondering where to go. Stay on the ground floor for shoes, giftware and presents, ladies’ accessories and Estée Lauder? Or up to the first floor for furniture and ladies’ fashions – Annabelle, Tigi-Wear, Autonomy? It’s the second floor for cookshop and homeware. Lingerie is on three, plus Alfred’s coffee shop and tea room. Maybe I’ll go straight there for a cappuccino and a ponder …But nothing happens when I press the button. The panel is hanging from the wall by its wires and doesn’t look safe. I’d be nervous about stepping into this lift. Plus, it’s dark. I’m using the torch on my phone to read the sign. There’s no giftware on this floor, no presents, no cosmetics counter. Once, this floor would have smelled of perfume; now, it’s musty, cold and empty. Because, on 19 January 2019, after 144 years of trading, this department store, Wildings, closed its doors for ever. Continue reading...
bbc.com
More big energy users to get help as support plan expanded
A scheme to cut bills for firms that are heavy energy users is being extended to cover an additional 3,000 businesses.
bbc.com
China's economy grows faster than expected despite Iran war
The better-than-expected GDP data comes as Asian countries have been hit hard by the impact of the conflict.
theguardian.com
Ticket to ride? Fifa premium makes this the World Cup that actively hates you | Jonathan Liew
The $95 bus trip to Foxborough highlights a tournament unique in modern times – one that ultimately makes no secret of its disdain for the paying publicLike any journalist with an unerring nose for an offbeat feature, my interest was sharply piqued by this week’s announcement of the $95 bus ride. What magnificent accoutrements might conceivably justify the £70 fare for a half-hour journey from south Boston to Foxborough? An at-seat shiatsu? A pool deck? A five-course dining experience? A brief but moving Céline Dion set in the aisles? At the very least, I felt I owed it to my profession to find out for sure.Alas upon closer investigation, the Boston Stadium Express being launched for this summer’s World Cup appears to be an entirely regular bus journey on an entirely regular bus with entirely regular bus seats. Your non-refundable ticket – no child concessions – entitles you simply to be dropped off a 15-minute walk from the ground, and picked up again from the same place. There is, in short, no more complex rationale for the Boston organising committee to charge £70 than the fact that they can, and the World Cup only comes once, and if you don’t want to pay then some other rube will. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Big energy shock will push up prices, Bank boss tells BBC
Bank of England governor says the Iran war energy shock makes the next interest rate decision "very, very difficult".
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Small towns are powering e-commerce's fastest-growing market, dominated by Amazon, Walmart unit
Small towns are fueling India’s e‑commerce surge, with Amazon and Flipkart chasing new shoppers, faster delivery and rising aspirational demand.
bbc.com
Fake damage and imaginary watches - how AI images are being used in insurance scams
An insurer reports a 71% rise in fraudulent claims, driven partly by an increase in faked images.
theguardian.com
Private rents in Great Britain stop rising for first time since 2017
More landlords having to cut prices to secure tenants, Rightmove data showsAverage private rents have stopped rising in Great Britain after almost a decade of increases, as more landlords cut their prices to secure a tenant, data shows.The typical advertised private rent outside London for properties coming on to the market remained flat at £1,370 a calendar month in the first three months of 2026, according to the property website Rightmove. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Japan pledges $10bn to help Asian countries deal with oil crisis
The aid is roughly equivalent to a year's worth of crude oil imports by Asean countries.
bbc.com
Allbirds shares soar 580% after pivot from shoes to AI
The company is selling off its shoe brand as it plans to shift to providing technology infrastructure.
theguardian.com
Geelong fire: major blaze breaks out at Australia's Viva oil refinery – video
Video shows an explosive fire at a Geelong oil refinery, which supplies half of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of Australia's. The blaze at Viva Energy's Corio facility in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, started just after 11pm WednesdayGeelong fire: fuel supply fears over out-of-control blaze at one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries Continue reading...
bbc.com
Back to books - Sweden's schools cutting back on digital learning
Swedish classrooms swap laptops for books, pens and paper, raising concerns from the tech sector.
bbc.com
Horse urine perfume: Why online bargains may be dangerous
Experts warn of hidden risk of counterfeits, while the government consults on stricter product safety rules.
bbc.com
Ticketmaster-owner Live Nation ran a monopoly and overcharged fans, jury finds
The lawsuit said the firm's practices had led to higher ticket prices and worse service for customers.
cnbc.com
Struggling shoe retailer Allbirds makes bizarre pivot to AI, adds $127 million in value
Allbirds announced a deal with American Exchange Group to sell its intellectual property and other assets for $39 million in March.
theguardian.com
‘Field of Dreams stuff’: will Leeds finally get its trams after decades of promises?
Plans for return of such transport have been discussed for years, and not all local people believe that service will comeIt is 1993 and a young James Lewis is going to do work experience in Leeds city council’s highways department. His team, Leeds United FC, have only just relinquished the title of defending English champions. And the council is marching on with big ideas: putting the abandoned 1980s Metroline tram plan behind them, and forgetting the unloved 1991 concept of a Leeds Advanced Transit skytrain. The Supertram is the coming thing.“I remember these drawers and drawers, full of big paper plans,” says Lewis, 33 years on. Lewis is now leader of the city council, and it is all done online. Much of the city centre has been transformed, rebuilt and pedestrianised. Leeds United have never threatened to be champions again. But as Lewis stands outside Elland Road stadium, explaining how to cross the adjacent motorway, one thing has not changed. What Leeds really wants is to build a tram. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Expert tips on borrowing cash, from everyday spending to £20k loans
There are many options, from cards to buy now, pay later. We find out the best – and the effect on your credit scoreUntil recently, if you wanted to buy something you couldn’t afford upfront, you reached for a credit card or took out a loan. Now, when you get to the checkout, you are likely to be faced with other options, including buy now, pay later (BNPL).With so many ways to borrow, the true costs and complexities aren’t always clear. Which option will actually save you the most money in the long run? And how might each option affect your credit score? We spoke to financial experts to get some answers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
IMF says strait of Hormuz closure raises prospect of ‘major energy crisis’ – video
The International Monetary Fund is forecasting a range of possible global economic scenarios due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. IMF’s chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, says: ‘Our adverse scenario assumes further disruption, leading to higher energy prices and inflation expectations, and tighter financial conditions throughout the year … Our severe scenario assumes that energy supply disruptions extend into next year with greater macro instability’IMF warns ‘unprecedented’ energy crisis could trigger global recession as Australia prepares for Washington talks Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is the EU back in vogue? – podcast
Lisa O’Carroll reports on the ‘resetting’ of the relationship between the UK and the EUThis week, the Guardian reported that Labour is planning to bring in new legislation that will forge closer ties between the UK and the EU. Nearly 10 years on from the Brexit vote, the Guardian’s senior correspondent Lisa O’Carroll speaks to Helen Pidd about what a UK-EU reset would look like.Lisa and Helen also discuss the strength of the EU in the wake of Viktor Orbán’s defeat in the Hungary elections on Sunday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Higher-income households benefited most from Help to Buy, thinktank finds
Analysis by IFS shows George Osborne’s mortgage schemes launched in 2013 had little effect on social mobilityHigher-income households were the biggest beneficiaries of George Osborne’s Help to Buy mortgage schemes, introduced in the 2010s, according to an analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) thinktank.Launched by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government in 2013, Help to Buy involved two separate schemes aimed at making home ownership more achievable in a period of rapid house price growth. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Quantum computing: A tech race Europe could win?
With some promising computing companies in the field, could Europe be a leader in quantum tech?
bbc.com
The Dutch village at risk of being demolished
Moerdijk has been earmarked for removal, to make way for a vast electricity substation.
bbc.com
'Every drop of water counts': Fear for the future of Argentina's glaciers
A controversial law to ease protections for the glaciers has passed, opening the doors for mining.
bbc.com
TV for dogs booms but are they watching?
TV channels for dogs are multiplying but research is mixed on whether dogs are watching.
bbc.com
The construction boss who built a new life after three years in prison
Traci Quinn, who was jailed for a drugs offence, has transformed herself and set up a successful firm.
bbc.com
The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oil
Chevron is now importing 250,000 barrels of crude per day from Venezuela.
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
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